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P. T. DODGE. LINOTYPB MACHINE.

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LINOTYPE MACHINE.

No. 539,984. Patented May 28, 1 895.

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P. T. DODGE. LINOTYPE MACHINE. No. 539,984. Patented May 28, 1895. 1 19.6.

' qwmkmmeo a UNITED STAT-ES PATENT OFFICE.

IIILIP T. DODGE, on WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE MERGENTHALER LINOTYPECOMPANY, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

LI NOTYPE- MAC HlN E.

SPECIFICATION formin part of Letters Patent No. 539,984, dated May as, 1895.

Application filed March 18, 1893. Serial No.4d6 '700- (N0 model.)

adjusted to space out or justify the line tothe predetermined length.

The invention has special reference to the spacing or justifying devices, and is based upon theuse for each space in the line, of two co-operating reversely arranged wedges, one

of which remains at rest while the other is moved along it as set forth in Letters Patent to D. Brainerd Ray, dated March 17, 1874, No. 148,624.

It is the aim of my invention to provide simple means for introducing wedges of the Ray type speedily and properly into the line,

and after use restoring them to their original positions in the magazine or place of storage. To this end I place the wedges-which are en- .tirely distinct, or separate from each other,

in a magazine or holder, and combine therewith, finger-key mechanism by which these wedges are released and delivered to the line in course of composition, wedges of the two forms being released successively, so that each pair will form an expansible space, having its outer faces parallel to prevent the tipping or canting of the dies or matrices between'which they are seated.

In the preferred form of my mechanism one finger-key is connected with two escapements, or releasing devices, so that a single action of the key will release in'succession two complementary wedges; but the two wedges may be delivered by any other suitable finger-key mechanism.

My invention is susceptible of embodiment in many equivalent forms, and may be used in all or nearly all machines adapted to assemble or compose lines of dies or matrices, but for purposes of illustration I have shown the same in connection with the well-known Mergenthaler linotype machine, represented in Letters Patent of the United States, dated tapered wedges to form a space. perspective view showing an alternative form September 16, 1890, No. 436,532, to which reference may be made for such details of construction as are not shown herein.

In the machine herein represented the matrices and spaces after being assembled in line are presented, between confining clamps, against or across the face of a mold, which is then supplied [with molten typemetal, thereby producing a metal bar or linotype bearing on its edge all the characters or letters of the matrix line, as in the ordinary Mergenthaler machine now familiar to every person skilled in the art. As regards the matrices, magazine, composing, casting and distributing mechanisms, the machine may be constructed in all respects in accordance with the patent above named.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing two oppositely- Fig. 1 is a of one of the wedges. Fig. 2 is a face View showing the manner in which the spaces are seatedin theline. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a portion of the composing mechanism of the Mergenthaler machine with my improvement applied thereto. Fig. 4 is a vertical crosssection on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of one of. the ordinary lettor-matrices; and Fig. 6 is a front view of the principal parts of a Mergenthaler machine,

designed to show more clearly the arrangement of my improvements therein.

In all the details not described herein, the machine may be identical with that represented in the Mergenthaler patent above referred to.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the inclined magazine or holder having grooves matrices fall from the magazine they are received on an inclined constantly traveling belt D, from which they are delivered'one after another into channeled, vertically movable, assembling block E, their assemblage being facilitated by the rotary angular wheel F, which, acting against the last matrix, pushes the line forward step by step in order to permit the entrance of the succeeding matrices and spaces. The assembled line is first transferred to the casting mechanism, after which the matrices are lifted to the top of the machine and returned to the channels from which they started. This distribution is effected by providing the matrices at their upper end with distinct arrangements of teeth, and moving them by side screws along a distributer. rail, from which they are suspended by their teeth until they arrive over their respective magazine channels in precisely the same manner as in the Mergenthaler patent above referred to.

In applying my present improvement I dispense with the spacing devices heretofore employed, and substitute therefor spaces 'such as shown in Fig. 1, consisting of two oppositely tapered unconnected wedges H and H.

The wedge H is made of the same marginal form as the matrices, and is provided at the top like the matrices with a distinctive arrangement of distributing teeth, so that, after it has served its place in the line, the wedge H will be returned like the matrices to one of the magazine channels from which it will be discharged by the action of the finger key, and escapement device of any suitable character. Under this arrangement the operation of the finger key is followed by the delivery from the magazine into the line, of a spacing wedge in the same manner that the matrices are delivered.

The wedge H has its head or upper end provided with sustaining shoulders, and made of the same general form as the heads of the spacing wedges described in the Mergenthaler line, it will be transferred like the Mergenthaler wedges to the space box or holder I, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. These single or solid wedges thus retained in the box, will be delivered like the Mergenthaler two-part wedges into the line below by an escapement or discharging" device of any suitable character connected with a finger-key.

In the form shown the wedge H, is much longer than the one with which it co-operates, so that after the line is composed the longer members I-I, may be advanced endwise throughout to expand and justify the line. It is to be distinctly understood, however, that the wedge H, may be made of any appropriate length, and provided with distributing teeth at its upper end, so that it will also be delivered by the distributing devices into the magazine proper. One of these secondary wedges having distributing teeth at the upper edges is shown in Fig. 1

In order to facilitate the operation of themachine, and the introduction of two wedges into a line by one operation of the key, I propose to connect a key with an escapement for discharging the short wedge from the magazine A, and also with an escapement for discharging the longer wedge t'rom the holder I.

In Fig. 4, J represents a centrally pivoted escapement lever provided at opposite ends with upwardly projecting pins, which, as the lever is vibrated, are thrust upward alternately into the magazine so that they serve to permit the escapement of the wedges one at a time. A spring K tends to hold the escapement in the position shown, while a rod L, attached to the opposite end, is carried downward and connected to a finger-key or lever M. This lever is also connected through rod N, lever O, and rod P, to the lever Q, having upright arms R, by which the long spacing wedges are delivered one at a time from the holder I, and permitted to pass into the line below. When the finger-key M, is depressed, it discharges one of the long spaces into the line, and as it rises it acts through the escapement J, to discharge one of the shorter spaces into the line. In this way it is that, by a single action of the finger-key down and up, the two wedges are successively delivered.

Having thus described my invention, what I I claim is- 1. In combination with a composing mechanism two unconnected series of wedges tapered in reverse directions, and finger-key mechanisms for introducing the differing ,wedges into the line in pairs, those of each pair in contact.

2. In combination with a mold, and means for supplying the same with molten metal, a

series of matrices, a series of wedges, an unconnected series of wedges tapered in the reverse direction, and finger-key mechanism for assembling the selected matrices, and the wedges in pairs in front of the mold, the wedges of each pair in contact.

patent, so that, after serving its place in the t 3. In combination with a series of type-composing mechanisms two series of unconnected wedges tapered in reverse directions, a fingerkey, and escapement devices connected therewith to discharge a wedge of one form as it descends and of the other form as it rises.

4. In combination, a series of type matrices, two series of unconnected reversely tapered wedges, a composing mechanism by which the matrices and wedges may be assembled in line, a mold to which the assembled line is presented, and a distributing mechanism whereby the matrices and wedges are separately re- .turned to the magazine or storage place.

5. In combination with a series of free disconnected matrices, and two series of free disconnected wedges tapered in reverse directions, a magazine or holder therefor, a fingerkey mechanism whereby the matrices and wedges may be assembled or composed in line.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 27th day of May, 1892, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

PHILIP T. DODGE.

Witnesses:

W. R. KENNEDY, RAYMONA F. BARNES. 

